Scholarship programme of around Rs 1 billion announced for flood-affected students

Kathmandu, Sept 7: The government has announced the ‘Secured Future Scholarship Plan’ of around one billion rupees for the education of students affected by the Bhotekoshi flood.

The Ministry of Education and Sports, in collaboration with the umbrella organization of private school operators, introduced this scheme with the objective of imparting free education to flood-affected students from early childhood development to grade 12.

At a programme organised at the Ministry on Monday, Minister for Education and Sports, Sasmit Pokharel, announced this scholarship programme. The students will be given textbooks, school uniforms, educational materials, food, and accommodation facilities, along with full, partial, and residential scholarships.

On the occasion, Minister Pokharel lauded the social responsibility of private and institutional schools during the disaster hour, adding that the support received from within the country and abroad has given additional energy and encouragement to the government.

He opined that scholarship would be granted to affected students by determining priorities based on data on such students.

Shailendra Jha, Chief Advisor to the Education Minister, shared that the scholarship programme has been forwarded in collaboration with private school organisations for the continuity of education of children affected by the flood.

Immediate and long-term plans have been forwarded for the guarantee of children’s education by transforming national grief into strength, he added. Preparations have been made to collect necessary resources from the private sector for the education of affected children.

The Ministry would collaborate with Private and Boarding Schools’ Organisation Nepal, National Private and Boarding Schools’ Organisation Nepal, Higher Institutions of Secondary Schools’ Association Nepal, Association of Pre-School Education Nepal, and Montessori Association Nepal, among others, for this purpose.

According to initial reports, 19 schools in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading have been completely or partially damaged by the flood. The report mentions that 16 teachers and 217 students are missing, and the learning of 9,742 students has been affected.

The plan states that affected students will be provided with full, partial, and residential scholarships along with educational materials and other necessary support.

This scholarship programme will include students from early childhood development up to grade 12. It is said that about a thousand students will be provided with scholarships. RSS